We've all seen the signs in recent times as sales numbers for individual titles have dipped lower and companies seem to be relying on variants, gimmicks, and crossovers to sell more books. Even Diamond complained about the high percentage of variants at their most recent Retailer's Summit. The recent price cuts by Marvel and DC could be seen as response to these numbers as well. Also telling is the huge 71 point gap in the index between the number one selling book, the greatly hyped, death-bag packaged, universe-changing-character-death-event book, Fantastic Four #587, and the number two book, Brightest Day #17.

At the same time, it should be taken into account that Diamond's numbers reflect only Direct Market sales, and do not take into account subscriptions or digital sales, as Marvel superstar writer Dan Slott helpfully pointed out on our forums last night, though recent rumors on digital sales place no book selling higher than 10k, if they are to be believed.

In any case, the industry is clearly reaching a point where they are going to need to adapt to changing technology and attract new readers, as the recent proliferation of digital comics apps from every company seems to indicate they understand.

Here are the Diamond press releases and charts, from which you may draw your own conclusions:

Diamond Announces Top Products For January 2011

(BALTIMORE, MD) — (February 3, 2010) — The Human Torch sacrificed his life to save his teammates and the Earth in January's Fantastic Four #587, sending the long-running Marvel Comics title to the top of January's comic book sales charts according to Diamond Comic Distributors, the world's largest distributor of comics, graphic novels, and pop-culture merchandise.

Thanks in part to the strong sales on Fantastic Four #587 from writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Steve Epting, Marvel Comics was the leading comic book publisher in January with a Dollar Market Share of 39.06% and a Unit Market Share of 42.37%. Image Comics had their strongest showing in over three years, with Dollar Share of 7.60%.

Sales of comic books and graphic novels fell in the post-Christmas season, with January's comic books sales declining by 27.70% from December and graphic novel sales falling by 32.41%.

Jack Horner's adventures in a world where forgotten technology is treated like forbidden magic formed the basis of Jack of Fables Volume 8: The Fulminate Blade, the latest collected volume of Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges' spin-off of Willingham's best-selling Fables series, giving DC Comics' Vertigo imprint the best-selling graphic novel in January.

NECA/WizKids' DC HeroClix: 75th-Anniversary Expansion series, which features characters taken from DC Comics' long history, topped the sales charts for the second month in a row as the best-selling Games product to comics specialty retailers in January.

TOP COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS

PUBLISHER

DOLLARSHARE

UNITSHARE

MARVEL COMICS

39.06%

42.37%

DC COMICS

26.38%

31.80%

IMAGE COMICS

7.60%

6.45%

DARK HORSE COMICS

4.82%

3.70%

IDW PUBLISHING

4.75%

4.60%

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

2.82%

2.51%

BOOM! STUDIOS

2.01%

1.80%

EAGLEMOSS PUBLICATIONS

1.40%

0.31%

VIZ MEDIA

1.28%

0.58%

WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT

0.68%

0.62%

OTHER NON-TOP 10

9.19%

5.25%

COMPARATIVE SALES STATISTICS

DOLLARS

UNITS

JANUARY 2011 VS. DECEMBER 2010

COMICS

-27.70%

-23.75%

GRAPHIC NOVELS

-32.41%

-31.09%

TOTAL COMICS/GN

-29.35%

-24.45%

JANUARY 2011 VS. JANUARY 2010

COMICS

-21.98%

-23.23%

GRAPHIC NOVELS

-16.53%

-19.36%

TOTAL COMICS/GN

-20.24%

-22.91%

CURRENT 12-MONTHS ROLLING VS. PREVIOUS 12-MONTHS ROLLING

COMICS

-6.64%

-8.40%

GRAPHIC NOVELS

-1.81%

-2.83%

TOTAL COMICS/GN

-5.09%

-7.93%

TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS

RANK

DESCRIPTION

PRICE

ITEM CODE

VENDOR

1

FANTASTIC FOUR #587

$3.99

NOV100584

MAR

2

BRIGHTEST DAY #17

$2.99

NOV100154-M

DC

3

BRIGHTEST DAY #18

$2.99

NOV100156-M

DC

4

SPAWN #200

$3.99

DEC090345-M

IMA

5

AVENGERS #9

$3.99

NOV100529

MAR

6

X-MEN #7

$3.99

NOV100603-M

MAR

7

BATMAN AND ROBIN #19

$2.99

NOV100169-M

DC

8

NEW AVENGERS #8

$3.99

NOV100539

MAR

9

BATMAN #706

$2.99

NOV100166

DC

10

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #651

$3.99

OCT100567-M

MAR

TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS

RANK

DESCRIPTION

PRICE

ITEM CODE

VENDOR

1

JACK OF FABLES VOLUME 8: FULMINATE BLADE

$14.99

OCT100327

DC

2

THE WALKING DEAD VOLUME 1:DAYS GONE BYE

$9.99

JUL068351

IMA

3

THE DARK TOWER: THE GUNSLINGER: THE JOURNEY BEGINS PREMIERE HC

$24.99

NOV100642

MAR

4

THE GOON VOL. 10: DEATH'S GREEDY COMEUPPANCE

$16.99

NOV108240

DAR

5

BATMAN: JOKER'S ASYLUM VOLUME 2 TP

$14.99

OCT100263

DC

6

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN VOLUME 4 TP

$15.99

OCT100699

MAR

7

STARMAN OMNIBUS VOLUME 6 HC

$49.99

SEP100254

DC

8

HOUSE OF MYSTERY VOLUME 5 TP

$14.99

OCT100325

DC

9

MADAME XANADU VOLUME 3 TP

$17.99

OCT100331

DC

10

THE WALKING DEAD VOL. 2: MILES BEHIND US TP

$14.99

SEP088204-M

IMA

TOP 10 TOYS

RANK

DESCRIPTION

ITEM CODE

VENDOR

1

BLACKEST NIGHT SERIES 7 ACTION FIGURES

MAY100294

DC

2

BLACKEST NIGHT SERIES 8 ACTION FIGURES

MAY100302

DC

3

COVER GIRLS OF THE DCU: BATGIRL STATUE

APR100306

DC

4

MARVEL SELECT: JUGGERNAUT ACTION FIGURE

JUN101512

DST

5

DANGER ROOM SESSIONS: DEADPOOL FINE ART STATUE

JUN101639

KOT

6

FATHOM: ASPEN MATTHEWS STATUE

JUL100804

ASP

7

DC X BISHOUJO: BATGIRL BISHOUJO STATUE

AUG101655

KOT

8

MARVEL X BISHOUJO: EMMA FROST BISHOUJO STATUE

AUG101658

KOT

9

BATMAN (JUSTICE) 1/6-SCALE COLLECTOR FIGURE

MAY100314

DC

10

BATMAN: BLACK & WHITE STATUE: BATMAN ARKHAM ASYLUM

FEB100301

DC

TOP 10 GAMES

RANK

DESCRIPTION

ITEM CODE

VENDOR

1

DC HEROCLIX 75TH ANNIVERSARY BOOSTER PACK

SEP101745

NEC

2

YU-GI-OH! TCG: 5DS DUELIST PACK YUSEI

NOV101692

KON

3

PATHFINDER RPG BESTIARY 2

AUG101838

PAI

4

MAGIC THE GATHERING TCG: SCARS OF MIRRODIN BOOSTER PACKS

AUG101862

WIZ

5

MARVEL HEROCLIX: WEB OF SPIDER-MAN BOOSTER PACKS

JUN101864

NEC

6

ZOMBIE STATE BOARD GAME

NOV101716

ALL

7

THE HOBBIT BOARD GAME

NOV101682

FAN

8

DOCTOR WHO FAMILY BOARD GAME

OCT101792

DIA

9

HALO: REACH ACTIONCLIX: NOBLE TEAM 6-PACK

JUN108133

NEC

10

FIREFLY 7-PIECE RED DICE SET

OCT101766

CRY

Top 100 Comics: January 2011

The Fantastic Four, scattered by various dangers from the Negative Zone to Atlantis to the Baxter Building, faced their greatest challenge, and one of their number, the Human Torch, made the ultimate sacrifice in Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four #587, the latest chapter in Jonathan Hickman and Steve Epting's "Three" storyline, giving the publisher the best-selling comic book in January.

In total, Marvel Comics took five of the top ten spots on the sales charts for the month. The Red Hulk teamed with the Avengers to combat the threat of the Infinity Gauntlet in Brian Michael Bendis and John Romita, Jr.'s Avengers #9, which ranked #5 for the month. The X-Men and Spider-Men teamed for a New York adventure in X-Men #7, which ranked #6. A night of the town turns dangerous in Bendis and Stuart Immonen's New Avengers #8, the #8 book for the month. Finally, Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos put Spider-Man through his paces as he hits the "Big Time" in the month's #10 ranked book, Amazing Spider-Man #651.

DC Comics had four of the top ten comics in January. Two issues of Brightest Day — issues #17 and #18 — were the number two and three books for the month, respectively, as Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi's biweekly event builds towards its climax. Paul Cornell and Scott McDaniel's run on Batman and Robin reached its conclusion with issue #19, the #7 book for the month. Finally, Tony Daniels' Batman #706 ranked #9 on the charts.

Rounding out the top ten in December was Image Comics as Todd McFarlane's Spawn reached its 200th issue. Spawn #200, with an all-star line-up of creators including McFarlane, Robert Kirkman, Greg Capullo, David Finch, Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld, Marc Silvestri, Ashley Wood, and Danny Miki, ranked #4 for the month.

Among other premier publishers, the finale to Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer "Sason Eight" storyline, Buffy the Vampire Slayer #40, placed at #25 on January's sales charts. IDW Publishing's top selling book for the month was Infestation #1, the first issue in their zombie crossover event that encompasses the worlds of Transformers, Star Trek, G.I. Joe, and Ghostbuster; Infestation #1 ranked #91 for the month.

TOP 100 COMIC BOOKSBased on Total Unit Sales of Products Invoiced in January 2011

QTYRANK

DOLLARRANK

INDEX

ITEM CODE

DESCRIPTION

PRICE

VENDOR

1

1

191.68

NOV100584

FANTASTIC FOUR #587

$3.99

MAR

2

8

120.94

NOV100154-M

BRIGHTEST DAY #17

$2.99

DC

3

9

119.69

NOV100156-M

BRIGHTEST DAY #18

$2.99

DC

4

2

108.66

DEC090345-M

SPAWN #200

$3.99

IMA

5

4

107.70

NOV100529

AVENGERS #9

$3.99

MAR

6

5

107.28

NOV100603-M

X-MEN #7

$3.99

MAR

7

15

102.58

NOV100169-M

BATMAN AND ROBIN #19

$2.99

DC

8

6

101.56

NOV100539

NEW AVENGERS #8

$3.99

MAR

9

17

100.00

NOV100166

BATMAN #706

$2.99

DC

10

7

94.22

OCT100567-M

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #651

$3.99

MAR

11

3

89.96

NOV100552-M

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #500

$4.99

MAR

12

10

89.77

NOV100614

UNCANNY X-MEN #532

$3.99

MAR

13

20

89.07

NOV100190-M

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #56

$2.99

DC

14

11

86.42

NOV100560

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #652

$3.99

MAR

15

12

85.31

NOV100613

UNCANNY X-FORCE #4

$3.99

MAR

16

13

84.26

NOV100540

SECRET AVENGERS #9

$3.99

MAR

17

22

78.19

NOV100198-M

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #53

$2.99

DC

18

16

78.12

NOV100514-M

AGE OF X ALPHA #1

$3.99

MAR

19

14

77.90

NOV100599

WOLVERINE #5

$3.99

MAR

20

27

72.17

NOV100192-M

GREEN LANTERN EMERALD WARRIORS #6

$2.99

DC

21

18

71.22

NOV100545

THOR #619

$3.99

MAR

22

19

69.93

NOV100541

CAPTAIN AMERICA #614

$3.99

MAR

23

28

69.47

NOV100179-M

SUPERMAN #707

$2.99

DC

24

33

66.73

NOV100602

X-MEN LEGACY #244

$2.99

MAR

25

32

65.56

NOV100026-M

BUFFY VAMPIRE SLAYER #40

$2.99

DAR

26

21

64.13

NOV100537-M

AVENGERS PRIME #5

$3.99

MAR

27

35

63.78

NOV100167

DETECTIVE COMICS #873

$2.99

DC

28

37

59.57

NOV100168-M

BATMAN BEYOND #1

$2.99

DC

29

23

59.34

NOV100523-M

ULTIMATE COMICS CAPTAIN AMERICA #1

$3.99

MAR

30

36

58.62

NOV100196-M

GREEN ARROW #8

$2.99

DC

31

24

56.96

NOV100583

DAREDEVIL REBORN #1

$3.99

MAR

32

39

55.79

OCT100204-M

WONDER WOMAN #606

$2.99

DC

33

34

55.59

NOV100527

ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #152

$3.99

MAR

34

25

55.57

NOV100600-M

WOLVERINE BEST THERE IS #2

$3.99

MAR

35

26

55.54

NOV100525

ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS 3 #6

$3.99

MAR

36

41

53.35

NOV100181

ACTION COMICS #897

$2.99

DC

37

43

53.18

NOV100628-M

SUPERIOR #4 (MR)

$2.99

MAR

38

29

53.09

NOV100530

AVENGERS CHILDRENS CRUSADE #4

$3.99

MAR

39

42

52.49

NOV100174

BIRDS OF PREY #8

$2.99

DC

40

30

51.46

NOV100568

INCREDIBLE HULKS #620

$3.99

MAR

41

31

51.40

NOV100569

INCREDIBLE HULKS #621

$3.99

MAR

42

44

51.26

NOV100158-M

JUSTICE LEAGUE GENERATION LOST #17

$2.99

DC

43

45

50.72

NOV100173

RED ROBIN #19

$2.99

DC

44

46

50.57

NOV100160-M

JUSTICE LEAGUE GENERATION LOST #18

$2.99

DC

45

47

50.41

NOV100185

SUPERMAN BATMAN #80

$2.99

DC

46

48

49.93

NOV100203

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #47

$2.99

DC

47

50

49.06

NOV100183-M

SUPERBOY #3

$2.99

DC

48

49

49.02

OCT100518

WALKING DEAD #80 (MR)

$2.99

IMA

49

52

48.43

NOV100593

DEADPOOL #31

$2.99

MAR

50

53

48.39

NOV100594

DEADPOOL #32

$2.99

MAR

51

56

46.25

NOV100597

X-23 #5

$2.99

MAR

52

57

45.61

NOV100580

BLACK PANTHER MAN WITHOUT FEAR #514

$2.99

MAR

53

38

44.05

NOV100590

THANOS IMPERATIVE DEVESTATION

$3.99

MAR

54

58

44.02

NOV100587

THUNDERBOLTS #152

$2.99

MAR

55

62

42.24

NOV100209-M

TEEN TITANS #91

$2.99

DC

56

64

42.18

NOV100618

X-FACTOR #213

$2.99

MAR

57

63

41.82

NOV100175

BATGIRL #17

$2.99

DC

58

65

41.70

NOV100619

X-FACTOR #214

$2.99

MAR

59

40

41.00

NOV100567

CHAOS WAR #5

$3.99

MAR

60

68

40.23

NOV100206

LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #9

$2.99

DC

61

69

39.87

NOV100531

AVENGERS ACADEMY #8

$2.99

MAR

62

70

39.47

NOV100612

NEW MUTANTS #21

$2.99

MAR

63

74

38.21

NOV100581-M

HEROES FOR HIRE #2

$2.99

MAR

64

72

37.89

NOV100205

ADVENTURE COMICS #522

$2.99

DC

65

75

37.47

NOV100182

SUPERGIRL #60

$2.99

DC

66

51

36.60

NOV100526

ULTIMATE COMICS DOOM #2

$3.99

MAR

67

54

36.54

NOV100625-M

SCARLET #4 (MR)

$3.95

MAR

68

77

36.11

NOV100210

TITANS #31

$2.99

DC

69

79

35.85

NOV100172

BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM #19

$2.99

DC

70

81

35.45

NOV100608-M

WOLVERINE & JUBILEE #1

$2.99

MAR

71

84

33.75

NOV100219

SECRET SIX #29

$2.99

DC

72

59

32.61

NOV100517

ASTONISHING THOR #2

$3.99

MAR

73

88

32.15

NOV100617

MAGNETO #1

$2.99

MAR

74

55

32.03

NOV100860

BOYS #50 (MR)

$3.99

DYN

75

61

31.94

NOV100622

DEADPOOLMAX #4 (MR)

$3.99

MAR

76

93

31.85

NOV100263

FABLES #101 (MR)

$2.99

DC

77

94

31.09

NOV100151

STEEL #1

$2.99

DC

78

160

31.08

NOV100542

CAPTAIN AMERICA HAIL HYDRA #1

$2.99

MAR

79

76

30.97

NOV100016

STAR WARS DARTH VADER & LOST COMMAND #1

$3.50

DAR

80

67

30.86

NOV100522

DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER LITTLE SISTERS ELURIA #2

$3.99

MAR

81

91

30.69

NOV100221

ZATANNA #9

$2.99

DC

82

90

30.65

JAN100417

SPAWN #201

$2.99

IMA

83

92

30.54

NOV100150

SHAZAM #1

$2.99

DC

84

95

29.75

NOV100204

JSA ALL STARS #14

$2.99

DC

85

80

29.63

NOV100019

STAR WARS LEGACY WAR #2

$3.50

DAR

86

71

29.52

NOV100571

CHAOS WAR X-MEN #2

$3.99

MAR

87

60

29.11

OCT100924

VAMPIRELLA #2

$3.99

DYN

88

97

28.91

NOV100152

WONDER GIRL #1

$2.99

DC

89

99

28.17

NOV100266

AMERICAN VAMPIRE #11 (MR)

$2.99

DC

90

100

27.93

NOV100212

POWER GIRL #20

$2.99

DC

91

66

27.80

NOV100312

INFESTATION #1

$3.99

IDW

92

102

27.72

NOV100610-M

GENERATION HOPE #3

$2.99

MAR

93

78

27.27

NOV100570

CHAOS WAR DEAD AVENGERS #3

$3.99

MAR

94

103

27.10

NOV100207

BOOSTER GOLD #40

$2.99

DC

95

104

26.76

NOV100595

DEADPOOL CORPS #10

$2.99

MAR

96

108

26.15

NOV100149

STARMAN CONGORILLA #1

$2.99

DC

97

85

25.40

NOV100579

PUNISHER IN BLOOD #3

$3.99

MAR

98

114

25.20

NOV100615

NAMOR FIRST MUTANT #6

$2.99

MAR

99

86

24.84

NOV100153

WEIRD WORLDS #1

$3.99

DC

100

89

24.12

NOV100607

X-MEN TO SERVE AND PROTECT #3

$3.99

MAR

Top 100 Graphic Novels: January 2011

Jack Horner's adventures in a world where forgotten technology is treated like forbidden magic formed the basis of Jack of Fables Volume 8: The Fulminate Blade, the latest collected volume of Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges' spin-off of Willingham's best-selling Fables series, giving DC Comics' Vertigo imprint the best-selling graphic novel in January.

In total, DC Comics had five of the top ten best-selling graphic novels in January. Batman: Joker's Asylum Volume 2, the second collection of one-shots centered on Bamtan's rogue's gallery, was the #5 book for the month. James Robinson's Starman Omnibus Volume 6 ranked #7, House of Mystery Volume 5: Under New Management ranked #8, and Madame Xanadu Volume 3: Broken House of Cards ranked #9.

Image Comics had two volumes of Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead in the top ten. The first volume, Days Gone Bye, was their top book at #2, and their second book, Miles Behind Us, ranked #10.

Marvel Comics also had two books in the top ten. The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger: The Journey Begins, an adaptation of Stephen King's best-selling Gunslinger novels, was the publisher's top book at #3. Invincible Iron Man Volume 4: Stark Disassembled ranked #6.

Rounding out the top ten from Dark Horse Comics was Eric Powell's The Goon Volume 10: Death's Greedy Come-Uppance.

Also among premier publishers, IDW Publishing's top book in January was The Last Unicorn, the acclaimed graphic novel adaptation of Peter S. Beagle's beloved fantasy novel; the collected hardcover edition ranked #32 for the month.

TOP 100 GRAPHIC NOVELSBased on Total Unit Sales of Products Invoiced in January 2011

QTYRANK

DOLLARRANK

INDEX

ITEM CODE

DESCRIPTION

PRICE

VENDOR

1

7

6.50

OCT100327

JACK OF FABLES TP VOL 08 THE FULMINATE BLADE TP (MR)

$14.99

DC

2

35

4.95

JUL068351

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 01 DAYS GONE BYE

$9.99

IMA

3

5

4.82

NOV100642

DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER JOURNEY BEGINS PREM HC

$24.99

MAR

4

10

4.80

NOV108240

GOON TP VOL 10 DEATHS GREEDY COMEUPPANCE

$16.99

DAR

5

22

4.58

OCT100263

BATMAN JOKERS ASYLUM TP VOL 02

$14.99

DC

6

24

4.19

OCT100699

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN TP VOL 04 STARK DISASSEMBLED

$15.99

MAR

7

2

3.96

SEP100254

STARMAN OMNIBUS HC VOL 06

$49.99

DC

8

27

3.86

OCT100325

HOUSE OF MYSTERY TP VOL 05 UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT (MR)

$14.99

DC

9

23

3.82

OCT100331

MADAME XANADU TP VOL 03 BROKEN HOUSE OF CARDS (MR)

$17.99

DC

10

29

3.64

SEP088204-M

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 02 MILES BEHIND US (NEW PTG)

$14.99

IMA

11

21

3.49

SEP100300

RAT CATCHER HC (MR)

$19.99

DC

12

6

3.48

NOV100675

DEADPOOL CLASSIC TP VOL 04

$29.99

MAR

13

28

3.39

NOV100660

HULK END TP

$16.99

MAR

14

12

3.37

SEP100313

SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING HC BOOK 04 (MR)

$24.99

DC

15

58

3.36

OCT101184

FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST TP VOL 24

$9.99

VIZ

16

66

3.36

SEP100528

ARTIFACTS TP VOL 01

$9.99

IMA

17

11

3.18

OCT100037

STAR WARS LONG TIME AGO OMNIBUS TP VOL 03

$24.99

DAR

18

15

3.13

NOV100645

AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS PREM HC VOL 01

$24.99

MAR

19

70

3.08

SEP100461

HACK SLASH MY FIRST MANIAC TP VOL 01 (MR)

$9.99

IMA

20

16

3.07

NOV100646

NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS PREM HC VOL 01

$24.99

MAR

21

25

3.02

NOV100667

SIEGE DARK AVENGERS TP

$19.99

MAR

22

43

3.01

OCT100272

SECRET SIX CATS IN THE CRADLE TP

$14.99

DC

23

45

2.93

NOV100629

CASANOVA TP LUXURIA VOL 01 (MR)

$14.99

MAR

24

17

2.91

NOV100669

SIEGE NEW AVENGERS TP

$24.99

MAR

25

19

2.87

NOV100647

SECRET AVENGERS PREM HC MISSION TO MARS VOL 01

$24.99

MAR

26

39

2.81

SEP100445

ASTOUNDING WOLF MAN TP VOL 04

$16.99

IMA

27

46

2.78

SEP100413

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 13 TOO FAR GONE (MR)

$14.99

IMA

28

31

2.74

OCT100695

HALO TP HELLJUMPER (MR)

$19.99

MAR

29

30

2.73

SEP100257

SUPERMAN LAST STAND OF NEW KRYPTON HC VOL 02

$19.99

DC

30

75

2.67

OCT101183

BATTLE ANGEL ALITA LAST ORDER TP VOL 14

$9.99

VIZ

31

59

2.67

SEP100116

GANTZ TP VOL 15 (MR)

$12.99

DAR

32

18

2.55

NOV100401

LAST UNICORN HC

$24.99

IDW

33

53

2.49

NOV100668

SIEGE MIGHTY AVENGERS TP

$15.99

MAR

34

4

2.48

AUG100671-M

MMW UNCANNY X-MEN HC VOL 07

$54.99

MAR

35

8

2.48

OCT100016

BPRD PLAGUE OF FROGS HC VOL 01

$34.99

DAR

36

32

2.44

OCT101087

SIXTH GUN TP VOL 01

$19.99

ONI

37

38

2.42

OCT100330-M

SANDMAN TP VOL 04 SEASON OF MISTS NEW ED (MR)

$19.99

DC

38

61

2.41

OCT100264

BATMAN VS THE UNDEAD TP

$14.99

DC

39

54

2.40

NOV082245-M

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 03 SAFETY BEHIND BARS

$14.99

IMA

40

65

2.30

NOV100672

SPIDER-MAN GAUNTLET VOL 04 JUGGERNAUT TP

$14.99

MAR

41

60

2.29

JUL100030

SERENITY SHEPHERDS TALE HC

$14.99

DAR

42

9

2.27

NOV100670

SPIDER-MAN COMPLETE CLONE SAGA EPIC TP BOOK 05

$39.99

MAR

43

44

2.25

OCT100269

JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL TP VOL 05

$19.99

DC

44

1

2.24

JUL100662-M

MIGHTY THOR OMNIBUS HC VOL 01

$99.99

MAR

45

72

2.22

FEB108442-M

SCOTT PILGRIM GN VOL 01 PRECIOUS LITTLE LIFE

$11.99

ONI

46

71

2.12

NOV100676

X-FACTOR TP VOL 10 SECOND COMING

$14.99

MAR

47

51

2.09

NOV100649

STEVE ROGERS PREM HC SUPER-SOLDIER

$19.99

MAR

48

121

2.09

OCT100485

TANK GIRL WE HATE TANK GIRL TP (MR)

$9.99

IMA

49

63

2.08

OCT100468

COWBOY NINJA VIKING TP VOL 02

$16.99

IMA

50

167

2.07

NOV100985

SMURFS GN VOL 04 SMURFETTE

$5.99

NBM

51

36

2.06

OCT100685

SPIDER-MAN ORIGIN OF SPECIES PREM HC

$24.99

MAR

52

105

2.01

SEP100117

NGE CAMPUS APOCALYSE TP VOL 02

$10.99

DAR

53

64

1.94

OCT100274

SUPERMAN NIGHTWING AND FLAMEBIRD TP

$17.99

DC

54

119

1.93

OCT101177

INU YASHA TP VOL 56

$9.99

VIZ

55

123

1.92

OCT101186

CLAYMORE TP VOL 17

$9.99

VIZ

56

37

1.91

OCT100040

AGE OF REPTILES OMNIBUS VOL 01

$24.99

DAR

57

76

1.91

SEP088206-M

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 05 BEST DEFENSE (NEW PTG)

$14.99

IMA

58

57

1.87

JUN100127

SUPERMAN EARTH ONE HC

$19.99

DC

59

33

1.84

JUL100684-M

CAPTAIN AMERICA WAR & REMEMBRANCE PREM HC

$29.99

MAR

60

84

1.84

OCT100270

QUESTION PIPELINE TP

$14.99

DC

61

41

1.84

SEP108121

SPAWN ENDGAME COLLECTION TP

$24.99

IMA

62

85

1.83

NOV100671

THOR RAGNAROK TP

$14.99

MAR

63

83

1.81

APR100438

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 12 LIFE AMONG THEM

$14.99

IMA

64

87

1.76

AUG100445

DARK IVORY TP

$14.99

IMA

65

97

1.76

NOV100897

GARTH ENNIS BATTLEFIELDS TP VOL 06 MOTHERLAND

$12.99

DYN

66

86

1.76

NOV100435

SPAWN ORIGINS TP VOL 09

$14.99

IMA

67

78

1.75

SEP088205-M

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 04 HEARTS DESIRE (NEW PTG)

$14.99

IMA

68

82

1.70

NOV100663

HAWKEYE & MOCKINGBIRD TP GHOSTS

$16.99

MAR

69

50

1.68

JUN100669-M

FANTASTIC FOUR RESURRECTION GALACTUS PREM HC

$24.99

MAR

70

96

1.66

NOV082242

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 09 HERE WE REMAIN (MR)

$14.99

IMA

71

117

1.65

OCT100317

CHILL TP (MR)

$12.99

DC

72

200

1.65

AUG100752

SHREK ONCE UPON A SLIME TP

$6.95

APE

73

99

1.65

SEP088207-M

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 06 SORROWFUL LIFE (NEW PTG) (SEP088207)

$14.99

IMA

74

68

1.62

NOV100360

TRANSFORMERS DRIFT TP

$17.99

IDW

75

122

1.61

NOV100433

NANCY IN HELL TP

$12.99

IMA

76

81

1.60

SEP100304

FABLES TP VOL 14 WITCHES (MR)

$17.99

DC

77

73

1.59

OCT101199

GFT INFERNO TP

$15.99

ZEN

78

34

1.58

APR100900

ART OF RED SONJA HC

$29.99

DYN

79

103

1.57

OCT090390

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 11 FEAR THE HUNTERS (MR)

$14.99

IMA

80

74

1.57

JUL100682-M

AVENGERS COMING OF BEAST PREM HC

$19.99

MAR

81

91

1.56

NOV101063

DEATH NOTE BLACK ED TP

$14.99

VIZ

82

55

1.56

OCT100677-M

MMW UNCANNY X-MEN TP VOL 03

$24.99

MAR

83

56

1.55

NOV100648

AVENGERS ACADEMY PREM HC PERMANENT RECORD

$24.99

MAR

84

94

1.55

NOV100677

X-MEN FOREVER 2 TP VOL 01 BACK IN ACTION

$16.99

MAR

85

42

1.52

MAR100240

BLACKEST NIGHT HC

$29.99

DC

86

226

1.52

SEP100108

BRODYS GHOST BOOK 02

$6.99

DAR

87

93

1.50

NOV100428

DARKCHYLDE TP VOL 01 LEGACY & REDEMPTION (MR)

$16.99

IMA

88

108

1.47

JUN090332

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 10 WHAT WE BECOME

$14.99

IMA

89

90

1.47

OCT100265

DOOM PATROL BROTHERHOOD TP

$17.99

DC

90

69

1.45

NOV100339

DOCTOR WHO ONGOING TP VOL 03 FINAL SACRIFICE

$19.99

IDW

91

109

1.44

OCT100720

SECRET WARRIORS TP VOL 03 WAKE BEAST

$15.99

MAR

92

118

1.43

DEC058055

BATMAN DARK KNIGHT RETURNS TP

$14.99

DC

93

111

1.43

SEP088208-M

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 07 THE CALM BEFORE

$14.99

IMA

94

49

1.41

NOV100674

WHAT IF CLASSIC TP VOL 07

$29.99

MAR

95

112

1.39

OCT100698

SIEGE TP THOR

$15.99

MAR

96

48

1.37

OCT100768

KILLER HC VOL 03 MODUS VIVENDI (MR)

$24.95

ARA

97

140

1.37

JUL108036

FABLES TP VOL 01 LEGENDS IN EXILE

$12.99

DC

98

3

1.37

NOV100442

WALKING DEAD OMNIBUS HC VOL 03

$100.00

IMA

99

89

1.34

FEB058406-M

WATCHMEN TP

$19.99

DC

100

185

1.31

SEP100114

BRIDE OF THE WATER GOD TP VOL 07

$9.99

DAR

This information may not be reprinted, reproduced, or copied in any format without the express permission of Diamond Comic Distributors.

How does Diamond calculate the charts? It all starts at the comic book shop.

Data for Diamond's sales charts — which include the monthly market shares and all top product charts — are compiled by Diamond Comic Distributors from a universe of over 3,500 comic book specialty shops located in North America and around the world. The account base includes brick-and-mortar comic book specialty shops, Internet merchants, and other specialty stores.

Unit and dollars sales are calculated based upon orders invoiced and shipped to Diamond accounts during any given month, which comprises initial pre-orders, advance reorders, and reorders, minus any copies that are received back from a title marked as returnable.

###

ABOUT DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS — the world's largest distributor of English-language comic books and pop-culture related merchandise, Diamond is based in Baltimore, MD, and services more than 3,500 specialty retailers worldwide. For more information, visit Diamond on the web at www.diamondcomics.com.

We've all seen the signs in recent times as sales numbers for individual titles have dipped lower and companies seem to be relying on variants, gimmicks, and crossovers to sell more books. Even Diamond complained about the high percentage of variants at their most recent Retailer's Summit. The recent price cuts by Marvel and DC could be seen as response to these numbers as well. Also telling is the huge 71 point gap in the index between the number one selling book, the greatly hyped, death-bag packaged, universe-changing-character-death-event book, Fantastic Four #587, and the number two book, Brightest Day #17.

At the same time, it should be taken into account that Diamond's numbers reflect only Direct Market sales, and do not take into account subscriptions or digital sales, as Marvel superstar writer Dan Slott helpfully pointed out on our forums last night, though recent rumors on digital sales place no book selling higher than 10k, if they are to be believed.

In any case, the industry is clearly reaching a point where they are going to need to adapt to changing technology and attract new readers, as the recent proliferation of digital comics apps from every company seems to indicate they understand.

Here are the Diamond press releases and charts, from which you may draw your own conclusions:

Diamond Announces Top Products For January 2011

(BALTIMORE, MD) — (February 3, 2010) — The Human Torch sacrificed his life to save his teammates and the Earth in January's Fantastic Four #587, sending the long-running Marvel Comics title to the top of January's comic book sales charts according to Diamond Comic Distributors, the world's largest distributor of comics, graphic novels, and pop-culture merchandise.

Thanks in part to the strong sales on Fantastic Four #587 from writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Steve Epting, Marvel Comics was the leading comic book publisher in January with a Dollar Market Share of 39.06% and a Unit Market Share of 42.37%. Image Comics had their strongest showing in over three years, with Dollar Share of 7.60%.

Sales of comic books and graphic novels fell in the post-Christmas season, with January's comic books sales declining by 27.70% from December and graphic novel sales falling by 32.41%.

Jack Horner's adventures in a world where forgotten technology is treated like forbidden magic formed the basis of Jack of Fables Volume 8: The Fulminate Blade, the latest collected volume of Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges' spin-off of Willingham's best-selling Fables series, giving DC Comics' Vertigo imprint the best-selling graphic novel in January.

NECA/WizKids' DC HeroClix: 75th-Anniversary Expansion series, which features characters taken from DC Comics' long history, topped the sales charts for the second month in a row as the best-selling Games product to comics specialty retailers in January.

TOP COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS

PUBLISHER

DOLLARSHARE

UNITSHARE

MARVEL COMICS

39.06%

42.37%

DC COMICS

26.38%

31.80%

IMAGE COMICS

7.60%

6.45%

DARK HORSE COMICS

4.82%

3.70%

IDW PUBLISHING

4.75%

4.60%

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

2.82%

2.51%

BOOM! STUDIOS

2.01%

1.80%

EAGLEMOSS PUBLICATIONS

1.40%

0.31%

VIZ MEDIA

1.28%

0.58%

WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT

0.68%

0.62%

OTHER NON-TOP 10

9.19%

5.25%

COMPARATIVE SALES STATISTICS

DOLLARS

UNITS

JANUARY 2011 VS. DECEMBER 2010

COMICS

-27.70%

-23.75%

GRAPHIC NOVELS

-32.41%

-31.09%

TOTAL COMICS/GN

-29.35%

-24.45%

JANUARY 2011 VS. JANUARY 2010

COMICS

-21.98%

-23.23%

GRAPHIC NOVELS

-16.53%

-19.36%

TOTAL COMICS/GN

-20.24%

-22.91%

CURRENT 12-MONTHS ROLLING VS. PREVIOUS 12-MONTHS ROLLING

COMICS

-6.64%

-8.40%

GRAPHIC NOVELS

-1.81%

-2.83%

TOTAL COMICS/GN

-5.09%

-7.93%

TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS

RANK

DESCRIPTION

PRICE

ITEM CODE

VENDOR

1

FANTASTIC FOUR #587

$3.99

NOV100584

MAR

2

BRIGHTEST DAY #17

$2.99

NOV100154-M

DC

3

BRIGHTEST DAY #18

$2.99

NOV100156-M

DC

4

SPAWN #200

$3.99

DEC090345-M

IMA

5

AVENGERS #9

$3.99

NOV100529

MAR

6

X-MEN #7

$3.99

NOV100603-M

MAR

7

BATMAN AND ROBIN #19

$2.99

NOV100169-M

DC

8

NEW AVENGERS #8

$3.99

NOV100539

MAR

9

BATMAN #706

$2.99

NOV100166

DC

10

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #651

$3.99

OCT100567-M

MAR

TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS

RANK

DESCRIPTION

PRICE

ITEM CODE

VENDOR

1

JACK OF FABLES VOLUME 8: FULMINATE BLADE

$14.99

OCT100327

DC

2

THE WALKING DEAD VOLUME 1:DAYS GONE BYE

$9.99

JUL068351

IMA

3

THE DARK TOWER: THE GUNSLINGER: THE JOURNEY BEGINS PREMIERE HC

$24.99

NOV100642

MAR

4

THE GOON VOL. 10: DEATH'S GREEDY COMEUPPANCE

$16.99

NOV108240

DAR

5

BATMAN: JOKER'S ASYLUM VOLUME 2 TP

$14.99

OCT100263

DC

6

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN VOLUME 4 TP

$15.99

OCT100699

MAR

7

STARMAN OMNIBUS VOLUME 6 HC

$49.99

SEP100254

DC

8

HOUSE OF MYSTERY VOLUME 5 TP

$14.99

OCT100325

DC

9

MADAME XANADU VOLUME 3 TP

$17.99

OCT100331

DC

10

THE WALKING DEAD VOL. 2: MILES BEHIND US TP

$14.99

SEP088204-M

IMA

TOP 10 TOYS

RANK

DESCRIPTION

ITEM CODE

VENDOR

1

BLACKEST NIGHT SERIES 7 ACTION FIGURES

MAY100294

DC

2

BLACKEST NIGHT SERIES 8 ACTION FIGURES

MAY100302

DC

3

COVER GIRLS OF THE DCU: BATGIRL STATUE

APR100306

DC

4

MARVEL SELECT: JUGGERNAUT ACTION FIGURE

JUN101512

DST

5

DANGER ROOM SESSIONS: DEADPOOL FINE ART STATUE

JUN101639

KOT

6

FATHOM: ASPEN MATTHEWS STATUE

JUL100804

ASP

7

DC X BISHOUJO: BATGIRL BISHOUJO STATUE

AUG101655

KOT

8

MARVEL X BISHOUJO: EMMA FROST BISHOUJO STATUE

AUG101658

KOT

9

BATMAN (JUSTICE) 1/6-SCALE COLLECTOR FIGURE

MAY100314

DC

10

BATMAN: BLACK & WHITE STATUE: BATMAN ARKHAM ASYLUM

FEB100301

DC

TOP 10 GAMES

RANK

DESCRIPTION

ITEM CODE

VENDOR

1

DC HEROCLIX 75TH ANNIVERSARY BOOSTER PACK

SEP101745

NEC

2

YU-GI-OH! TCG: 5DS DUELIST PACK YUSEI

NOV101692

KON

3

PATHFINDER RPG BESTIARY 2

AUG101838

PAI

4

MAGIC THE GATHERING TCG: SCARS OF MIRRODIN BOOSTER PACKS

AUG101862

WIZ

5

MARVEL HEROCLIX: WEB OF SPIDER-MAN BOOSTER PACKS

JUN101864

NEC

6

ZOMBIE STATE BOARD GAME

NOV101716

ALL

7

THE HOBBIT BOARD GAME

NOV101682

FAN

8

DOCTOR WHO FAMILY BOARD GAME

OCT101792

DIA

9

HALO: REACH ACTIONCLIX: NOBLE TEAM 6-PACK

JUN108133

NEC

10

FIREFLY 7-PIECE RED DICE SET

OCT101766

CRY

Top 100 Comics: January 2011

The Fantastic Four, scattered by various dangers from the Negative Zone to Atlantis to the Baxter Building, faced their greatest challenge, and one of their number, the Human Torch, made the ultimate sacrifice in Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four #587, the latest chapter in Jonathan Hickman and Steve Epting's "Three" storyline, giving the publisher the best-selling comic book in January.

In total, Marvel Comics took five of the top ten spots on the sales charts for the month. The Red Hulk teamed with the Avengers to combat the threat of the Infinity Gauntlet in Brian Michael Bendis and John Romita, Jr.'s Avengers #9, which ranked #5 for the month. The X-Men and Spider-Men teamed for a New York adventure in X-Men #7, which ranked #6. A night of the town turns dangerous in Bendis and Stuart Immonen's New Avengers #8, the #8 book for the month. Finally, Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos put Spider-Man through his paces as he hits the "Big Time" in the month's #10 ranked book, Amazing Spider-Man #651.

DC Comics had four of the top ten comics in January. Two issues of Brightest Day — issues #17 and #18 — were the number two and three books for the month, respectively, as Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi's biweekly event builds towards its climax. Paul Cornell and Scott McDaniel's run on Batman and Robin reached its conclusion with issue #19, the #7 book for the month. Finally, Tony Daniels' Batman #706 ranked #9 on the charts.

Rounding out the top ten in December was Image Comics as Todd McFarlane's Spawn reached its 200th issue. Spawn #200, with an all-star line-up of creators including McFarlane, Robert Kirkman, Greg Capullo, David Finch, Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld, Marc Silvestri, Ashley Wood, and Danny Miki, ranked #4 for the month.

Among other premier publishers, the finale to Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer "Sason Eight" storyline, Buffy the Vampire Slayer #40, placed at #25 on January's sales charts. IDW Publishing's top selling book for the month was Infestation #1, the first issue in their zombie crossover event that encompasses the worlds of Transformers, Star Trek, G.I. Joe, and Ghostbuster; Infestation #1 ranked #91 for the month.

TOP 100 COMIC BOOKSBased on Total Unit Sales of Products Invoiced in January 2011

QTYRANK

DOLLARRANK

INDEX

ITEM CODE

DESCRIPTION

PRICE

VENDOR

1

1

191.68

NOV100584

FANTASTIC FOUR #587

$3.99

MAR

2

8

120.94

NOV100154-M

BRIGHTEST DAY #17

$2.99

DC

3

9

119.69

NOV100156-M

BRIGHTEST DAY #18

$2.99

DC

4

2

108.66

DEC090345-M

SPAWN #200

$3.99

IMA

5

4

107.70

NOV100529

AVENGERS #9

$3.99

MAR

6

5

107.28

NOV100603-M

X-MEN #7

$3.99

MAR

7

15

102.58

NOV100169-M

BATMAN AND ROBIN #19

$2.99

DC

8

6

101.56

NOV100539

NEW AVENGERS #8

$3.99

MAR

9

17

100.00

NOV100166

BATMAN #706

$2.99

DC

10

7

94.22

OCT100567-M

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #651

$3.99

MAR

11

3

89.96

NOV100552-M

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #500

$4.99

MAR

12

10

89.77

NOV100614

UNCANNY X-MEN #532

$3.99

MAR

13

20

89.07

NOV100190-M

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #56

$2.99

DC

14

11

86.42

NOV100560

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #652

$3.99

MAR

15

12

85.31

NOV100613

UNCANNY X-FORCE #4

$3.99

MAR

16

13

84.26

NOV100540

SECRET AVENGERS #9

$3.99

MAR

17

22

78.19

NOV100198-M

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #53

$2.99

DC

18

16

78.12

NOV100514-M

AGE OF X ALPHA #1

$3.99

MAR

19

14

77.90

NOV100599

WOLVERINE #5

$3.99

MAR

20

27

72.17

NOV100192-M

GREEN LANTERN EMERALD WARRIORS #6

$2.99

DC

21

18

71.22

NOV100545

THOR #619

$3.99

MAR

22

19

69.93

NOV100541

CAPTAIN AMERICA #614

$3.99

MAR

23

28

69.47

NOV100179-M

SUPERMAN #707

$2.99

DC

24

33

66.73

NOV100602

X-MEN LEGACY #244

$2.99

MAR

25

32

65.56

NOV100026-M

BUFFY VAMPIRE SLAYER #40

$2.99

DAR

26

21

64.13

NOV100537-M

AVENGERS PRIME #5

$3.99

MAR

27

35

63.78

NOV100167

DETECTIVE COMICS #873

$2.99

DC

28

37

59.57

NOV100168-M

BATMAN BEYOND #1

$2.99

DC

29

23

59.34

NOV100523-M

ULTIMATE COMICS CAPTAIN AMERICA #1

$3.99

MAR

30

36

58.62

NOV100196-M

GREEN ARROW #8

$2.99

DC

31

24

56.96

NOV100583

DAREDEVIL REBORN #1

$3.99

MAR

32

39

55.79

OCT100204-M

WONDER WOMAN #606

$2.99

DC

33

34

55.59

NOV100527

ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #152

$3.99

MAR

34

25

55.57

NOV100600-M

WOLVERINE BEST THERE IS #2

$3.99

MAR

35

26

55.54

NOV100525

ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS 3 #6

$3.99

MAR

36

41

53.35

NOV100181

ACTION COMICS #897

$2.99

DC

37

43

53.18

NOV100628-M

SUPERIOR #4 (MR)

$2.99

MAR

38

29

53.09

NOV100530

AVENGERS CHILDRENS CRUSADE #4

$3.99

MAR

39

42

52.49

NOV100174

BIRDS OF PREY #8

$2.99

DC

40

30

51.46

NOV100568

INCREDIBLE HULKS #620

$3.99

MAR

41

31

51.40

NOV100569

INCREDIBLE HULKS #621

$3.99

MAR

42

44

51.26

NOV100158-M

JUSTICE LEAGUE GENERATION LOST #17

$2.99

DC

43

45

50.72

NOV100173

RED ROBIN #19

$2.99

DC

44

46

50.57

NOV100160-M

JUSTICE LEAGUE GENERATION LOST #18

$2.99

DC

45

47

50.41

NOV100185

SUPERMAN BATMAN #80

$2.99

DC

46

48

49.93

NOV100203

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #47

$2.99

DC

47

50

49.06

NOV100183-M

SUPERBOY #3

$2.99

DC

48

49

49.02

OCT100518

WALKING DEAD #80 (MR)

$2.99

IMA

49

52

48.43

NOV100593

DEADPOOL #31

$2.99

MAR

50

53

48.39

NOV100594

DEADPOOL #32

$2.99

MAR

51

56

46.25

NOV100597

X-23 #5

$2.99

MAR

52

57

45.61

NOV100580

BLACK PANTHER MAN WITHOUT FEAR #514

$2.99

MAR

53

38

44.05

NOV100590

THANOS IMPERATIVE DEVESTATION

$3.99

MAR

54

58

44.02

NOV100587

THUNDERBOLTS #152

$2.99

MAR

55

62

42.24

NOV100209-M

TEEN TITANS #91

$2.99

DC

56

64

42.18

NOV100618

X-FACTOR #213

$2.99

MAR

57

63

41.82

NOV100175

BATGIRL #17

$2.99

DC

58

65

41.70

NOV100619

X-FACTOR #214

$2.99

MAR

59

40

41.00

NOV100567

CHAOS WAR #5

$3.99

MAR

60

68

40.23

NOV100206

LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #9

$2.99

DC

61

69

39.87

NOV100531

AVENGERS ACADEMY #8

$2.99

MAR

62

70

39.47

NOV100612

NEW MUTANTS #21

$2.99

MAR

63

74

38.21

NOV100581-M

HEROES FOR HIRE #2

$2.99

MAR

64

72

37.89

NOV100205

ADVENTURE COMICS #522

$2.99

DC

65

75

37.47

NOV100182

SUPERGIRL #60

$2.99

DC

66

51

36.60

NOV100526

ULTIMATE COMICS DOOM #2

$3.99

MAR

67

54

36.54

NOV100625-M

SCARLET #4 (MR)

$3.95

MAR

68

77

36.11

NOV100210

TITANS #31

$2.99

DC

69

79

35.85

NOV100172

BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM #19

$2.99

DC

70

81

35.45

NOV100608-M

WOLVERINE & JUBILEE #1

$2.99

MAR

71

84

33.75

NOV100219

SECRET SIX #29

$2.99

DC

72

59

32.61

NOV100517

ASTONISHING THOR #2

$3.99

MAR

73

88

32.15

NOV100617

MAGNETO #1

$2.99

MAR

74

55

32.03

NOV100860

BOYS #50 (MR)

$3.99

DYN

75

61

31.94

NOV100622

DEADPOOLMAX #4 (MR)

$3.99

MAR

76

93

31.85

NOV100263

FABLES #101 (MR)

$2.99

DC

77

94

31.09

NOV100151

STEEL #1

$2.99

DC

78

160

31.08

NOV100542

CAPTAIN AMERICA HAIL HYDRA #1

$2.99

MAR

79

76

30.97

NOV100016

STAR WARS DARTH VADER & LOST COMMAND #1

$3.50

DAR

80

67

30.86

NOV100522

DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER LITTLE SISTERS ELURIA #2

$3.99

MAR

81

91

30.69

NOV100221

ZATANNA #9

$2.99

DC

82

90

30.65

JAN100417

SPAWN #201

$2.99

IMA

83

92

30.54

NOV100150

SHAZAM #1

$2.99

DC

84

95

29.75

NOV100204

JSA ALL STARS #14

$2.99

DC

85

80

29.63

NOV100019

STAR WARS LEGACY WAR #2

$3.50

DAR

86

71

29.52

NOV100571

CHAOS WAR X-MEN #2

$3.99

MAR

87

60

29.11

OCT100924

VAMPIRELLA #2

$3.99

DYN

88

97

28.91

NOV100152

WONDER GIRL #1

$2.99

DC

89

99

28.17

NOV100266

AMERICAN VAMPIRE #11 (MR)

$2.99

DC

90

100

27.93

NOV100212

POWER GIRL #20

$2.99

DC

91

66

27.80

NOV100312

INFESTATION #1

$3.99

IDW

92

102

27.72

NOV100610-M

GENERATION HOPE #3

$2.99

MAR

93

78

27.27

NOV100570

CHAOS WAR DEAD AVENGERS #3

$3.99

MAR

94

103

27.10

NOV100207

BOOSTER GOLD #40

$2.99

DC

95

104

26.76

NOV100595

DEADPOOL CORPS #10

$2.99

MAR

96

108

26.15

NOV100149

STARMAN CONGORILLA #1

$2.99

DC

97

85

25.40

NOV100579

PUNISHER IN BLOOD #3

$3.99

MAR

98

114

25.20

NOV100615

NAMOR FIRST MUTANT #6

$2.99

MAR

99

86

24.84

NOV100153

WEIRD WORLDS #1

$3.99

DC

100

89

24.12

NOV100607

X-MEN TO SERVE AND PROTECT #3

$3.99

MAR

Top 100 Graphic Novels: January 2011

Jack Horner's adventures in a world where forgotten technology is treated like forbidden magic formed the basis of Jack of Fables Volume 8: The Fulminate Blade, the latest collected volume of Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges' spin-off of Willingham's best-selling Fables series, giving DC Comics' Vertigo imprint the best-selling graphic novel in January.

In total, DC Comics had five of the top ten best-selling graphic novels in January. Batman: Joker's Asylum Volume 2, the second collection of one-shots centered on Bamtan's rogue's gallery, was the #5 book for the month. James Robinson's Starman Omnibus Volume 6 ranked #7, House of Mystery Volume 5: Under New Management ranked #8, and Madame Xanadu Volume 3: Broken House of Cards ranked #9.

Image Comics had two volumes of Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead in the top ten. The first volume, Days Gone Bye, was their top book at #2, and their second book, Miles Behind Us, ranked #10.

Marvel Comics also had two books in the top ten. The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger: The Journey Begins, an adaptation of Stephen King's best-selling Gunslinger novels, was the publisher's top book at #3. Invincible Iron Man Volume 4: Stark Disassembled ranked #6.

Rounding out the top ten from Dark Horse Comics was Eric Powell's The Goon Volume 10: Death's Greedy Come-Uppance.

Also among premier publishers, IDW Publishing's top book in January was The Last Unicorn, the acclaimed graphic novel adaptation of Peter S. Beagle's beloved fantasy novel; the collected hardcover edition ranked #32 for the month.

TOP 100 GRAPHIC NOVELSBased on Total Unit Sales of Products Invoiced in January 2011

QTYRANK

DOLLARRANK

INDEX

ITEM CODE

DESCRIPTION

PRICE

VENDOR

1

7

6.50

OCT100327

JACK OF FABLES TP VOL 08 THE FULMINATE BLADE TP (MR)

$14.99

DC

2

35

4.95

JUL068351

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 01 DAYS GONE BYE

$9.99

IMA

3

5

4.82

NOV100642

DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER JOURNEY BEGINS PREM HC

$24.99

MAR

4

10

4.80

NOV108240

GOON TP VOL 10 DEATHS GREEDY COMEUPPANCE

$16.99

DAR

5

22

4.58

OCT100263

BATMAN JOKERS ASYLUM TP VOL 02

$14.99

DC

6

24

4.19

OCT100699

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN TP VOL 04 STARK DISASSEMBLED

$15.99

MAR

7

2

3.96

SEP100254

STARMAN OMNIBUS HC VOL 06

$49.99

DC

8

27

3.86

OCT100325

HOUSE OF MYSTERY TP VOL 05 UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT (MR)

$14.99

DC

9

23

3.82

OCT100331

MADAME XANADU TP VOL 03 BROKEN HOUSE OF CARDS (MR)

$17.99

DC

10

29

3.64

SEP088204-M

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 02 MILES BEHIND US (NEW PTG)

$14.99

IMA

11

21

3.49

SEP100300

RAT CATCHER HC (MR)

$19.99

DC

12

6

3.48

NOV100675

DEADPOOL CLASSIC TP VOL 04

$29.99

MAR

13

28

3.39

NOV100660

HULK END TP

$16.99

MAR

14

12

3.37

SEP100313

SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING HC BOOK 04 (MR)

$24.99

DC

15

58

3.36

OCT101184

FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST TP VOL 24

$9.99

VIZ

16

66

3.36

SEP100528

ARTIFACTS TP VOL 01

$9.99

IMA

17

11

3.18

OCT100037

STAR WARS LONG TIME AGO OMNIBUS TP VOL 03

$24.99

DAR

18

15

3.13

NOV100645

AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS PREM HC VOL 01

$24.99

MAR

19

70

3.08

SEP100461

HACK SLASH MY FIRST MANIAC TP VOL 01 (MR)

$9.99

IMA

20

16

3.07

NOV100646

NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS PREM HC VOL 01

$24.99

MAR

21

25

3.02

NOV100667

SIEGE DARK AVENGERS TP

$19.99

MAR

22

43

3.01

OCT100272

SECRET SIX CATS IN THE CRADLE TP

$14.99

DC

23

45

2.93

NOV100629

CASANOVA TP LUXURIA VOL 01 (MR)

$14.99

MAR

24

17

2.91

NOV100669

SIEGE NEW AVENGERS TP

$24.99

MAR

25

19

2.87

NOV100647

SECRET AVENGERS PREM HC MISSION TO MARS VOL 01

$24.99

MAR

26

39

2.81

SEP100445

ASTOUNDING WOLF MAN TP VOL 04

$16.99

IMA

27

46

2.78

SEP100413

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 13 TOO FAR GONE (MR)

$14.99

IMA

28

31

2.74

OCT100695

HALO TP HELLJUMPER (MR)

$19.99

MAR

29

30

2.73

SEP100257

SUPERMAN LAST STAND OF NEW KRYPTON HC VOL 02

$19.99

DC

30

75

2.67

OCT101183

BATTLE ANGEL ALITA LAST ORDER TP VOL 14

$9.99

VIZ

31

59

2.67

SEP100116

GANTZ TP VOL 15 (MR)

$12.99

DAR

32

18

2.55

NOV100401

LAST UNICORN HC

$24.99

IDW

33

53

2.49

NOV100668

SIEGE MIGHTY AVENGERS TP

$15.99

MAR

34

4

2.48

AUG100671-M

MMW UNCANNY X-MEN HC VOL 07

$54.99

MAR

35

8

2.48

OCT100016

BPRD PLAGUE OF FROGS HC VOL 01

$34.99

DAR

36

32

2.44

OCT101087

SIXTH GUN TP VOL 01

$19.99

ONI

37

38

2.42

OCT100330-M

SANDMAN TP VOL 04 SEASON OF MISTS NEW ED (MR)

$19.99

DC

38

61

2.41

OCT100264

BATMAN VS THE UNDEAD TP

$14.99

DC

39

54

2.40

NOV082245-M

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 03 SAFETY BEHIND BARS

$14.99

IMA

40

65

2.30

NOV100672

SPIDER-MAN GAUNTLET VOL 04 JUGGERNAUT TP

$14.99

MAR

41

60

2.29

JUL100030

SERENITY SHEPHERDS TALE HC

$14.99

DAR

42

9

2.27

NOV100670

SPIDER-MAN COMPLETE CLONE SAGA EPIC TP BOOK 05

$39.99

MAR

43

44

2.25

OCT100269

JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL TP VOL 05

$19.99

DC

44

1

2.24

JUL100662-M

MIGHTY THOR OMNIBUS HC VOL 01

$99.99

MAR

45

72

2.22

FEB108442-M

SCOTT PILGRIM GN VOL 01 PRECIOUS LITTLE LIFE

$11.99

ONI

46

71

2.12

NOV100676

X-FACTOR TP VOL 10 SECOND COMING

$14.99

MAR

47

51

2.09

NOV100649

STEVE ROGERS PREM HC SUPER-SOLDIER

$19.99

MAR

48

121

2.09

OCT100485

TANK GIRL WE HATE TANK GIRL TP (MR)

$9.99

IMA

49

63

2.08

OCT100468

COWBOY NINJA VIKING TP VOL 02

$16.99

IMA

50

167

2.07

NOV100985

SMURFS GN VOL 04 SMURFETTE

$5.99

NBM

51

36

2.06

OCT100685

SPIDER-MAN ORIGIN OF SPECIES PREM HC

$24.99

MAR

52

105

2.01

SEP100117

NGE CAMPUS APOCALYSE TP VOL 02

$10.99

DAR

53

64

1.94

OCT100274

SUPERMAN NIGHTWING AND FLAMEBIRD TP

$17.99

DC

54

119

1.93

OCT101177

INU YASHA TP VOL 56

$9.99

VIZ

55

123

1.92

OCT101186

CLAYMORE TP VOL 17

$9.99

VIZ

56

37

1.91

OCT100040

AGE OF REPTILES OMNIBUS VOL 01

$24.99

DAR

57

76

1.91

SEP088206-M

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 05 BEST DEFENSE (NEW PTG)

$14.99

IMA

58

57

1.87

JUN100127

SUPERMAN EARTH ONE HC

$19.99

DC

59

33

1.84

JUL100684-M

CAPTAIN AMERICA WAR & REMEMBRANCE PREM HC

$29.99

MAR

60

84

1.84

OCT100270

QUESTION PIPELINE TP

$14.99

DC

61

41

1.84

SEP108121

SPAWN ENDGAME COLLECTION TP

$24.99

IMA

62

85

1.83

NOV100671

THOR RAGNAROK TP

$14.99

MAR

63

83

1.81

APR100438

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 12 LIFE AMONG THEM

$14.99

IMA

64

87

1.76

AUG100445

DARK IVORY TP

$14.99

IMA

65

97

1.76

NOV100897

GARTH ENNIS BATTLEFIELDS TP VOL 06 MOTHERLAND

$12.99

DYN

66

86

1.76

NOV100435

SPAWN ORIGINS TP VOL 09

$14.99

IMA

67

78

1.75

SEP088205-M

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 04 HEARTS DESIRE (NEW PTG)

$14.99

IMA

68

82

1.70

NOV100663

HAWKEYE & MOCKINGBIRD TP GHOSTS

$16.99

MAR

69

50

1.68

JUN100669-M

FANTASTIC FOUR RESURRECTION GALACTUS PREM HC

$24.99

MAR

70

96

1.66

NOV082242

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 09 HERE WE REMAIN (MR)

$14.99

IMA

71

117

1.65

OCT100317

CHILL TP (MR)

$12.99

DC

72

200

1.65

AUG100752

SHREK ONCE UPON A SLIME TP

$6.95

APE

73

99

1.65

SEP088207-M

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 06 SORROWFUL LIFE (NEW PTG) (SEP088207)

$14.99

IMA

74

68

1.62

NOV100360

TRANSFORMERS DRIFT TP

$17.99

IDW

75

122

1.61

NOV100433

NANCY IN HELL TP

$12.99

IMA

76

81

1.60

SEP100304

FABLES TP VOL 14 WITCHES (MR)

$17.99

DC

77

73

1.59

OCT101199

GFT INFERNO TP

$15.99

ZEN

78

34

1.58

APR100900

ART OF RED SONJA HC

$29.99

DYN

79

103

1.57

OCT090390

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 11 FEAR THE HUNTERS (MR)

$14.99

IMA

80

74

1.57

JUL100682-M

AVENGERS COMING OF BEAST PREM HC

$19.99

MAR

81

91

1.56

NOV101063

DEATH NOTE BLACK ED TP

$14.99

VIZ

82

55

1.56

OCT100677-M

MMW UNCANNY X-MEN TP VOL 03

$24.99

MAR

83

56

1.55

NOV100648

AVENGERS ACADEMY PREM HC PERMANENT RECORD

$24.99

MAR

84

94

1.55

NOV100677

X-MEN FOREVER 2 TP VOL 01 BACK IN ACTION

$16.99

MAR

85

42

1.52

MAR100240

BLACKEST NIGHT HC

$29.99

DC

86

226

1.52

SEP100108

BRODYS GHOST BOOK 02

$6.99

DAR

87

93

1.50

NOV100428

DARKCHYLDE TP VOL 01 LEGACY & REDEMPTION (MR)

$16.99

IMA

88

108

1.47

JUN090332

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 10 WHAT WE BECOME

$14.99

IMA

89

90

1.47

OCT100265

DOOM PATROL BROTHERHOOD TP

$17.99

DC

90

69

1.45

NOV100339

DOCTOR WHO ONGOING TP VOL 03 FINAL SACRIFICE

$19.99

IDW

91

109

1.44

OCT100720

SECRET WARRIORS TP VOL 03 WAKE BEAST

$15.99

MAR

92

118

1.43

DEC058055

BATMAN DARK KNIGHT RETURNS TP

$14.99

DC

93

111

1.43

SEP088208-M

WALKING DEAD TP VOL 07 THE CALM BEFORE

$14.99

IMA

94

49

1.41

NOV100674

WHAT IF CLASSIC TP VOL 07

$29.99

MAR

95

112

1.39

OCT100698

SIEGE TP THOR

$15.99

MAR

96

48

1.37

OCT100768

KILLER HC VOL 03 MODUS VIVENDI (MR)

$24.95

ARA

97

140

1.37

JUL108036

FABLES TP VOL 01 LEGENDS IN EXILE

$12.99

DC

98

3

1.37

NOV100442

WALKING DEAD OMNIBUS HC VOL 03

$100.00

IMA

99

89

1.34

FEB058406-M

WATCHMEN TP

$19.99

DC

100

185

1.31

SEP100114

BRIDE OF THE WATER GOD TP VOL 07

$9.99

DAR

This information may not be reprinted, reproduced, or copied in any format without the express permission of Diamond Comic Distributors.

How does Diamond calculate the charts? It all starts at the comic book shop.

Data for Diamond's sales charts — which include the monthly market shares and all top product charts — are compiled by Diamond Comic Distributors from a universe of over 3,500 comic book specialty shops located in North America and around the world. The account base includes brick-and-mortar comic book specialty shops, Internet merchants, and other specialty stores.

Unit and dollars sales are calculated based upon orders invoiced and shipped to Diamond accounts during any given month, which comprises initial pre-orders, advance reorders, and reorders, minus any copies that are received back from a title marked as returnable.

###

ABOUT DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS — the world's largest distributor of English-language comic books and pop-culture related merchandise, Diamond is based in Baltimore, MD, and services more than 3,500 specialty retailers worldwide. For more information, visit Diamond on the web at www.diamondcomics.com.

Twenty-Something

I hope the greedy bastards have been saving and investing their money. I know that's what I've been doing with mine.

Agreed. Comics were a hobby kids could support themselves because the books were cheap. I remember being a little kid and not being able to buy much with my shit allowance but I could always buy a comic and feel like it was a good use of that small amount of money. But there's no fucking way that if I was like 10 years old I'd waste 3 bucks, which in child terms is like 100 bucks, on one fucking comic.

I hope the greedy bastards have been saving and investing their money. I know that's what I've been doing with mine.

Agreed. Comics were a hobby kids could support themselves because the books were cheap. I remember being a little kid and not being able to buy much with my shit allowance but I could always buy a comic and feel like it was a good use of that small amount of money. But there's no fucking way that if I was like 10 years old I'd waste 3 bucks, which in child terms is like 100 bucks, on one fucking comic.

"Dude, I bow down to you, you are the worlds greatest ballbuster." -Jude Terror"Sorry, nate! I think you automatically lose all arguments from now on, simply due to the fact that the only person willing to back you up is batshit insane!" - Dragavon"Everything I know I learned from reading your posts." - Nietoperz

cheese

In England, taxes are high, currency is down, people are fearful for their jobs. The hidden code in the papers is telling you to stack cans of beans as high as your celing will let you.

The comic companies action: raise prices $3.99 and publish more titles, integrate more storylines across titles (forcing the consumer to buy more). The comic industry acted as if there wasn't a recession whereas other industries were cutting prices and reducing services/products.

Comics are non-essential so its no surprise people would cut back on non-essential (arguably premium in the case of $3.99 comics) goods.

I'm of the thought that the comic industry has enjoyed something of a boom. While the bubble and hasn't and isn't likely to burst, the size of the bubble - the market - will reduce to a more accurate size that represents collectors and people who do see comics as essential or high priority items.

In England, taxes are high, currency is down, people are fearful for their jobs. The hidden code in the papers is telling you to stack cans of beans as high as your celing will let you.

The comic companies action: raise prices $3.99 and publish more titles, integrate more storylines across titles (forcing the consumer to buy more). The comic industry acted as if there wasn't a recession whereas other industries were cutting prices and reducing services/products.

Comics are non-essential so its no surprise people would cut back on non-essential (arguably premium in the case of $3.99 comics) goods.

I'm of the thought that the comic industry has enjoyed something of a boom. While the bubble and hasn't and isn't likely to burst, the size of the bubble - the market - will reduce to a more accurate size that represents collectors and people who do see comics as essential or high priority items.

Last edited by DonDaddyD on Thu Feb 03, 2011 12:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Twenty-Something

"Dude, I bow down to you, you are the worlds greatest ballbuster." -Jude Terror"Sorry, nate! I think you automatically lose all arguments from now on, simply due to the fact that the only person willing to back you up is batshit insane!" - Dragavon"Everything I know I learned from reading your posts." - Nietoperz

Society Member

Benderbrau wrote:Agreed. Comics were a hobby kids could support themselves because the books were cheap. I remember being a little kid and not being able to buy much with my shit allowance but I could always buy a comic and feel like it was a good use of that small amount of money. But there's no fucking way that if I was like 10 years old I'd waste 3 bucks, which in child terms is like 100 bucks, on one fucking comic.

Verily.

If I was 10 nowadays, I sure wouldn't be a comicbook fan/collector 30 years later like I am now.

Society Member

Benderbrau wrote:Agreed. Comics were a hobby kids could support themselves because the books were cheap. I remember being a little kid and not being able to buy much with my shit allowance but I could always buy a comic and feel like it was a good use of that small amount of money. But there's no fucking way that if I was like 10 years old I'd waste 3 bucks, which in child terms is like 100 bucks, on one fucking comic.

Verily.

If I was 10 nowadays, I sure wouldn't be a comicbook fan/collector 30 years later like I am now.

Society Member

achilles wrote:Interesting, Power Girl #20 climbed into the top #100 at number #90 for the first time in many months. I wonder if there was an increase in the book's sales, or if it is all due to the weird month?

Society Member

achilles wrote:Interesting, Power Girl #20 climbed into the top #100 at number #90 for the first time in many months. I wonder if there was an increase in the book's sales, or if it is all due to the weird month?

X-over with JL:GL so probably some of both.

3MJ

by 3MJ » Thu Feb 03, 2011 2:50 pm

It's all well and good saying comic books are to much, but this is how much paper costs. They can't reduce prices. Just a dead industry not moving with the times. We should be celebrating the growth of TPB's like Scott Pilgrim and Kick Ass not mourning the loss of heroes who haven't been relevant in years.

3MJ

It's all well and good saying comic books are to much, but this is how much paper costs. They can't reduce prices. Just a dead industry not moving with the times. We should be celebrating the growth of TPB's like Scott Pilgrim and Kick Ass not mourning the loss of heroes who haven't been relevant in years.

Society Member

LobsterJ wrote:you do remember the big flap a year or two ago when that marvel sales dude admitted they were raising prices simply because they could?

Shhhhh. You do know he's "Always Right" , dontcha?

3MJ

by 3MJ » Thu Feb 03, 2011 3:00 pm

LobsterJ wrote:you do remember the big flap a year or two ago when that marvel sales dude admitted they were raising prices simply because they could?

Do you honestly think that if these comics couldn't be made for a dollar or the suchlike they wouldn't? Marvel are being clever and raising the prices and getting the fanboys who'll read everything to get their comics. Comics clearly aren't aimed at new readers.

3MJ

LobsterJ wrote:you do remember the big flap a year or two ago when that marvel sales dude admitted they were raising prices simply because they could?

Do you honestly think that if these comics couldn't be made for a dollar or the suchlike they wouldn't? Marvel are being clever and raising the prices and getting the fanboys who'll read everything to get their comics. Comics clearly aren't aimed at new readers.